[Isoform 1]: Functions as extracellular chaperone that prevents aggregation of non native proteins. Prevents stress-induced aggregation of blood plasma proteins. Inhibits formation of amyloid fibrils by APP, APOC2, B2M, CALCA, CSN3, SNCA and aggregation-prone LYZ variants (in vitro). Does not require ATP. Maintains partially unfolded proteins in a state appropriate for subsequent refolding by other chaperones, such as HSPA8/HSC70. Does not refold proteins by itself. Binding to cell surface receptors triggers internalization of the chaperone-client complex and subsequent lysosomal or proteasomal degradation. Protects cells against apoptosis and against cytolysis by complement. Intracellular forms interact with ubiquitin and SCF (SKP1-CUL1-F-box protein) E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complexes and promote the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of target proteins. Promotes proteasomal degradation of COMMD1 and IKBKB. Modulates NF-kappa-B transcriptional activity. A mitochondrial form suppresses BAX- dependent release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm and inhibit apoptosis. Plays a role in the regulation of cell proliferation. An intracellular form suppresses stress-induced apoptosis by stabilizing mitochondrial membrane integrity through interaction with HSPA5. Secreted form does not affect caspase or BAX-mediated intrinsic apoptosis and TNF-induced NF-kappa-B-activity. Secreted form act as an important modulator during neuronal differentiation through interaction with STMN3 (By similarity). Plays a role in the clearance of immune complexes that arise during cell injury (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P05371, ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q06890, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11123922, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12047389, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12176985, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12882985, ECO:0000269|PubMed:16113678, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17260971, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17407782, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17412999, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17689225, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19137541, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19535339, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19996109, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20068069, ECO:0000269|PubMed:21505792, ECO:0000269|PubMed:22689054, ECO:0000269|PubMed:24073260, ECO:0000269|PubMed:2780565}. [Isoform 6]: Does not affect caspase or BAX-mediated intrinsic apoptosis and TNF-induced NF-kappa-B-activity. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:24073260}. [Isoform 4]: Does not affect caspase or BAX-mediated intrinsic apoptosis and TNF-induced NF-kappa-B-activity. Promotes cell death through interaction with BCL2L1 that releases and activates BAX